Noah White
The Scots College
CITY OF CLAY
Ceramics
Clay
The issues and ideas I explored in my body of work were inspired by the video game Journey. This is the classic hero’s journey that is found throughout our culture. My intent was to represent a 2D fantasy world in 3D form. Fantasy and science fiction themes in mediums such as video games, books and movies have always fascinated me. I am currently developing a video game so this informed my practice in the handbuilding of City of Clay. My intent is to give the audience a unique experience as if they were a part of this virtual world.
My artmaking practice has been influenced by the study and interpretation of the following artists: Friedensreich Hundertwasser, Three High Houses; Antoni Gaudi, Sagrada Familia; thatgamecompany, Journey; Team Cherry, Hollow Knight; Konjak (Joakim Sandberg), Iconoclasts; EXOK Games, Celeste; Brandon Sanderson, The Stormlight Archive series; Patrick Rothfuss, The Name of the Wind; Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince; Travis Knight (dir), Kubo and the Two Strings.
Marker's Commentary
This body of work seeks to articulate the transition of modern architecture to that which is personal, playful and human. The soft idiosyncratic forms of the buildings reinforce the concept of the humanisation of architecture. The vernacular of architecture has intentionally been softened, both in its treatment, use of material and conceptualisation. The hand built ceramic work seeks to personalise the city, revealing quirky and unique forms morphed emotionally and fluidly. The use of lighting also extends the innovative treatment of techniques within this expressive form. The use of glaze, oxide, decorative incising and scale highlight the connectedness this form has with Art Nouveau and the Secessionist movements.